Blue magpie species are frequently observed from Kashmir to Myanmar.
About Himalayan Magpies
Magpies belong to the Corvidae family, which also includes crows, jays, and ravens.
These birds are typically noisy and inquisitive, often featured as omens in folklore around the world.
Species Distribution and Habitat:
Gold-billed Magpie (Urocissa flavirostris): Also known as the yellow-billed blue magpie, this species inhabits high altitudes between 2,000 and 3,000 meters above sea level, thriving in the high-altitude zones of the Himalayas from Kashmir to Myanmar.
Red-billed Magpie: Found at slightly lower altitudes than the gold-billed magpie.
Blue Magpie: Occupies lower altitudes and is more likely to be found near human settlements. It builds nests in rhododendron trees.
IUCN Status: ‘Least Concerned’
Observations:
The best sightings of yellow and red-billed magpies are along a trekking corridor in Western Sikkim, which spans from tropical forests at lower altitudes to Alpine landscapes.
Over 250 species of birds have been documented in this region, with significant bird activity around 2,500 meters.
PYQ:
[2014] If you walk through countryside, you are likely to see some birds stalking alongside the cattle to seize the insects, disturbed by their movement through grasses.
Which of the following is/are such bird/birds?
Painted Stork
Common Myna
Black-necked Crane
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
In a rare event, the night sky over Hanle village in Ladakh was illuminated by the northern lights or aurora borealis.
Concurrently, the southern lights, or aurora australis, were observed in New Zealand and Australia.
What are Auroras?
Auroras are natural light displays that appear as bright, swirling curtains in the night sky.
They are typically seen near the Poles but can occasionally be observed at lower latitudes.
These lights can display a range of colors, including blue, red, yellow, green, and orange, due to the interaction of solar particles with different gases in the Earth’s atmosphere.
The phenomenon is known as:
Aurora borealis in Northern Hemisphere and
Aurora australis in Southern Hemisphere
What causes Auroras?
Interaction with Earth’s Magnetic Field: As the solar wind approaches Earth, it interacts with the planet’s magnetic field, causing some charged particles to enter the atmosphere near the poles.
Interaction with Gases: These particles interact with gases in the upper atmosphere, producing colourful flashes of light. Collision with oxygen produces green light, while interaction with nitrogen results in shades of blue and purple.
Reasons for Aurora in Ladakh:
Intense Solar Activity: Auroras can extend to lower latitudes during periods of intense solar activity, such as solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs).
The CMEs are from the AR13664 region of the sun that has produced several high-energy solar flares
Localized magnetic anomalies: Variations in Earth’s magnetic field could potentially influence the occurrence of auroras in specific areas, including regions at lower latitudes.
Impact on Tech Infrastructure
Auroras can pose challenges to space-dependent technologies and operations.
Disruptions in Global Positioning Systems (GPS), radio communications, flight operations, power grids, and space exploration endeavors may occur during such events.
PYQ:
[2022] If a major solar storm (solar flare) reaches the Earth, which of the following are the possible effects on the Earth?
GPS and navigation systems could fail.
Tsunamis could occur at equatorial regions.
Power grids could be damaged.
Intense auroras could occur over much of the Earth.
Forest fires could take place over much of the planet.
Orbits of the satellites could be disturbed.
Shortwave radio communication of the aircraft flying over Polar Regions could be interrupted.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
(a) 1, 2, 4 and 5 only
(b) 2, 3, 5, 6 and 7 only
(c) 1, 3, 4, 6 and 7 only
(d) 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7
Recently, during the 19th Session (10th May 2024) of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF19) in New York, a significant report titled “International Forest Governance” was published.
About International Forest Governance:
The report “Critical Review of Trends, Drawbacks, and New Approaches” authored by the Science-Policy Programme (SciPol) of the International Union of Forest Research Organizations (IUFRO) was released.
It marked the first global synthesis on international forest governance in 14 years.
The report exposes the rising trend of ‘Climatization’ of forests:
AboutClimatization of forests:
Shift in Emphasis: The trend involves a notable shift in focus towards valuing forests primarily as carbon sinks, rather than recognizing their essential ecological and social functions.
Carbon Sequestration Priority: Political and financial orientations have increasingly prioritized carbon sequestration in forests as a means to address climate change issues. This emphasis often leads to the overshadowing of other aspects of forest management.
Neglect of Long-Term Sustainability: The emphasis on carbon sequestration may result in neglecting the long-term sustainability of forests. Forest management strategies that prioritize carbon storage may not necessarily align with broader ecological and social sustainability goals.
Risks and their impacts:
Ongoing Crises: Despite efforts to reduce deforestation, significant challenges persist, including climate change, biodiversity loss, and socio-economic inequalities. These crises pose substantial threats to global sustainability and well-being.
Commodification Risks: The commodification of forests for carbon capture introduces risks that may exacerbate existing inequalities and hinder effective forest management practices.
Market-based Versus Non-market Approaches:
Market-Based Solutions: There has been significant traction in market-based solutions such as forest carbon trading and zero-deforestation supply chains. These approaches aim to incentivize sustainable forest management practices through economic mechanisms.
Exacerbation of Inequities: Despite their popularity, market-based solutions may exacerbate existing inequities within forest governance systems. Certain stakeholders or regions may benefit disproportionately, while others may be marginalized or disadvantaged.
Non-market mechanisms: As an alternative, non-market mechanisms, including state regulation and community-led initiatives, are suggested to offer more just and effective pathways for forest governance.
Policy recommendations as per the Report:
Holistic Valuation of Forests: Policymakers should reevaluate forests beyond their role as carbon sinks, recognizing their multifaceted ecological, social, and economic values.
Equitable Governance: Policymakers should prioritize inclusive decision-making processes that ensure the voices of marginalized groups, such as indigenous and local communities, are heard and respected.
Protection of Rights and Livelihoods: Policies should prioritize the protection of the rights and livelihoods of resource-dependent communities.
Way Forward:
Integrated Forest Management: Governments and international organizations should adopt integrated approaches to forest management that recognize and balance the ecological, social, and economic values of forests.
Strengthening Governance Structures: Policymakers should work to strengthen governance structures at local, national, and international levels to ensure more equitable decision-making processes.
Mains PYQ:
Q Examine the status of forest resources of India and its resultant impact on climate change. (UPSC 2020)
Kerala temple authorities have banned the use of oleander flowers in offerings following the accidental poisoning of a woman who chewed oleander leaves.
What is Oleander?
Nerium oleander, commonly known as oleander or rosebay, is a plant cultivated worldwide in tropical, subtropical, and temperate regions.
Known for its drought tolerance, the shrub is often used for ornamental and landscaping purposes.
In Kerala, it’s called arali or kanaveeram and is used for natural fencing along highways and beaches.
According to the IUCN Red List, Nerium oleander (Oleander) is classified as Least Concern
Traditional Medicinal Uses:
Termed as “desert rose” in ancient texts, oleander has been trusted with its medicinal properties such as a hangover cure, in cancer treatments, and as an antiviral.
The Ayurvedic Pharmacopoeia of India mentions oleander, particularly the use of oil from the root bark to treat skin diseases.
oleander’s use in treating skin diseases, leprosy, wounds, itching, and parasites.
Toxicity of Oleander:
Oleander is highly toxic due to cardiac glycosides present in all parts of the plant.
Cardiac glycosides like oleandrin and digitoxigenin exert pharmacological effects on the heart, leading to nausea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, and, in severe cases, death..
PYQ:
[2018] Why is a plant called Prosopis Juliflora often mentioned in the news?
(a) Its extract is widely used in cosmetics
(b) It tends to reduce the biodiversity in the area in which it grow
(c) Its extract is used in the synthesis of pesticides
Australian weather agencies predict the possible return of a positive Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD) in the latter half of 2024.
What is the Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)?
The IOD is also known as the Indian Nino. It is characterized by the differential heating of ocean waters in the eastern and western parts of the basin.
Similar to the El Nino Southern Oscillation (ENSO) in the Pacific, the IOD involves phases of ocean temperatures and atmospheric conditions that affect weather patterns across the region and beyond.
There are two main phases of the IOD:
Positive Phase: In this phase, the western Indian Ocean becomes warmer than average, and the eastern part cooler than average. This results in greater convection and rainfall over the western Indian Ocean and adjacent land areas like East Africa, while reducing rainfall over the eastern Indian Ocean and places like Indonesia and Australia.
Negative Phase: The opposite conditions prevail during this phase, with cooler waters in the western Indian Ocean and warmer waters in the east. This leads to increased rainfall in the eastern Indian Ocean regions and drier conditions in the western part and East Africa.
Back2Basics: El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO)
El Nino and La Nina are two opposite phases of the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
ENSO is a naturally occurring phenomenon that involves the interaction between the ocean and atmosphere in the equatorial Pacific.
Here is a detailed comparison of El Nino and La Nina
El Nino
La Nina
Definition
Warmer-than-normal sea surface temperatures
Cooler-than-normal sea surface temperatures
Frequency
Every two to seven years
Every two to seven years
Duration
Several months to a year or more
Several months to a year or more
Impact on winds
Weakens trade winds, leading to changes in patterns
Strengthens trade winds, leading to changes in patterns
Impact on rains
Reduces rainfall and can cause droughts
Increases rainfall and can cause flooding
Impact on temp.
Warmer-than-average temperatures
Colder-than-average temperatures
Global effects
Droughts in Asia and Africa, floods in Americas
Floods in Asia and Africa, droughts in South America
Impact on the Indian Monsoon:
The Indian Ocean Dipole has significant impacts on the Indian monsoon system:
Positive IOD often coincides with a stronger Southwest Monsoon, bringing more rainfall to India. This is due to the shift in warm water and accompanying convection towards India, which enhances the monsoon rainfall.
Negative IOD can weaken the Southwest Monsoon, resulting in less rainfall and potential drought conditions in India. The shift of warm water away from India reduces the necessary heat and moisture that drive the monsoon rains.
PYQ:
[2017] With reference to ‘Indian Ocean Dipole (IOD)’ sometimes mentioned in the news while forecasting Indian monsoon, which of the following statements is/are correct?
1. IOD phenomenon is characterised by a difference in sea surface temperature between tropical Western Indian Ocean and tropical Eastern Pacific Ocean.
2. An IOD phenomenon can influence an El Nino’s impact on the monsoon.
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Maharashtra’s plan to increase tigers count in Sahyadri-Konkan Wildlife Corridor by translocating tigers from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) (Chandrapur, Maharashtra) underscores the critical role of wildlife corridors in conservation efforts.
About Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)
Tadoba became one of India’s earliest national parks when it was declared in 1955, alongside Kanha National Park.
The name “Tadoba” is derived from the deity “Tadoba” or “Taru,” worshipped by local Gond Tribals, and “Andhari” refers to the Andhari River flowing through the reserve.
It was later expanded and officially merged with the Andhari Wildlife Sanctuary in 1993 to form the TATR.
TATR is regarded as one of the world’s most preferred destinations for tiger sightings and is a critical part of Project Tiger, aimed at conserving tigers in India.
The reserve has 115 tigers, including 88 within the forest and 27 in the areas immediately surrounding the reserve.
About Sahyadri-Konkan Wildlife Corridor
The Sahyadri-Konkan corridor(Sahyadri-Radhanagari-Goa-Karnataka), plays a vital role in conserving wildlife, particularly tigers, in the northern Western Ghats region.
It spans throughout the states of Maharashtra, Goa, and Karnataka, specifically through the Western Ghats, one of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspots.
Protected Areas Connected:
Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (includes Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS) and Chandoli National Park) and Radhanagari Wildlife Sanctuary (Maharashtra);
Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary and Kali Tiger Reserve(includes Anshi National Park and Dandeli WLS) in (Karnataka);
Mollem National Park, Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary (Goa).
Fauna: Tiger (Panthera tigris), Indian leopard (Panthera pardus), dhole (Cuon alpinus), and sloth bear (Melursus ursinus), etc.
The Western Ghats, including parts of the corridor, are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012 due to their outstanding universal value in terms of biodiversity and endemic species.
PYQ:
[2020] Among the following Tiger Reserves, which one has the largest area under “Critical Tiger Habitat”?
Glyptothorax punyabratai, a new catfish species, has been discovered in the Brahmaputra River drainage in Arunachal Pradesh.
The discovery was made by the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (ICAR-NBFGR), Lucknow, and published in the journal Ichthyological Exploration of Freshwaters.
Glyptothorax punyabratai
It was collected from the Tung Stream, a tributary of the Tissa River, within the Brahmaputra River basin.
It has a unique rhomboidal-shaped thoracic adhesive apparatus, which is a specialized structure that helps the fish adhere to surfaces.
The holotype and paratype specimens are housed at the National Fish Museum-cum-Repository of the ICAR-NBFGR, Lucknow.
This discovery underscores the potential for both utilization and conservation of fish biodiversity in unexplored areas.
An orangutan was observed treating a wound with medicine from a tropical plant, showcasing how some animals employ natural remedies to alleviate their ailments.
This behavior, documented in a recent study published in Scientific Reports, represents a novel instance of self-medication among wild animals.
About Orangutans
Orangutans, are distinguished by their vivid red fur, are the largest arboreal mammals and spend the majority of their time in trees and forests.
The name “orangutan” translates to “man of the forest” in Malay.
They possess long, powerful arms and grasping hands and feet that facilitate movement through the branches.
Highly intelligent, these great apes share 96.4% of genetic makeup of modern man.
Orangutans primarily inhabit the tropical rainforests of Southeast Asia, specifically on the islands of Borneo and Sumatra.
Conservation Status:Critically Endangered(IUCN Red list)
These apes lead mostly solitary lives in the lowland forests, dining on wild fruits such as lychees, mangosteens, and figs, and drinking water collected in tree cavities.
Orangutans are mainly frugivorous, they primarily eat fruits, and consume leaves, bark, insects, and occasionally small animals.
They construct nests in trees with vegetation for sleeping at night and resting during the day.
And, now they are found treating a wound with medicine from a Tropical plant.
The Agatti Reef is experiencing unprecedented mass coral bleaching.
Why in the news?
Extreme heatwaves along the Indian coast, coupled with marine heatwaves, have triggered Mass Coral Bleaching events in the Lakshadweep Sea.
Heatwaves Toll on Lakshadweep’s Coral:
Researchers from the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI) conducted surveys across various Lakshadweep Islands.
The Degree Heating Week (DHW) indicator in Lakshadweep has soared above 4 °C-weeks, as per the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
This elevation in DHW levels poses a substantial risk of coral bleaching, posing a severe threat to the region’s marine ecosystems.
Should DHW surpass 12 °C-weeks, it could trigger an unprecedented biodiversity crisis, leading to multispecies mortality.
Prolonged marine heatwavessince October 2023 have inflicted substantial stress on the coral reefs, exacerbating bleaching phenomena.
A marine heatwave is characterized by seawater temperatures exceeding a seasonally-varying threshold (often the 90th percentile) for at least 5 consecutive days.
Degree Heating Week (DHW) indicator: It is a measurement used to assess the accumulated thermal stress that corals experience over an extended period, which can lead to coral bleaching. This indicator is expressed in °C-weeks, reflecting the exposure of coral reefs to elevated sea surface temperatures.
Lakshadweep’s Coral Treasure: Agatti Reef
Agatti Island is part of the Lakshadweep archipelago, situated in the Arabian Sea.
The island is surrounded by extensive coral reefs, making it a popular destination for snorkeling and diving enthusiasts.
The coral reefs around Agatti Island are composed of various coral species, including branching corals like Acropora, table corals like Acropora Hyacinthus, and massive corals like Porites.
These corals form intricate reef structures that provide habitat and food for numerous marine organisms.
What causes Coral Bleaching?
When exposed to conditions like heat stress, pollution, or high levels of ocean acidity, the zooxanthellae start producing reactive oxygen species not beneficial to the corals.
So, the corals kick out the colour-giving algae from their polyps, exposing their pale white exoskeleton and leading to coral starvation as corals cannot produce their own food.
Severe bleaching and prolonged stress in the external environment can lead to coral death.
Back2Basics: Corals
Coral are made up of genetically identical organisms called polyps.
These polyps have microscopic algae called zooxanthellae living within their tissues in a mutualistic relationship.
The coral provides the zooxanthellae with the compounds necessary for photosynthesis.
In return, the zooxanthellae supply the coral with organic products of photosynthesis, like carbohydrates, which are utilized by the coral polyps for synthesis of their calcium carbonate skeletons.
Corals are marine invertebrates or animals which do not possess a spine.
They are the largest living structures on the planet.
Each coral is called a polyp and thousands of such polyps live together to form a colony, which grow when polyps multiply to make copies of themselves.
Coral reefs are also called the “rainforests of the seas”.
Types of Coral
Corals are of two types — hard corals and soft corals:
Hard corals extract calcium carbonate from seawater to build hard, white coral exoskeletons. Hard corals are in a way the engineers of reef ecosystems and measuring the extent of hard coral is a widely-accepted metric for measuring the condition of coral reefs.
Soft corals attach themselves to such skeletons and older skeletons built by their ancestors. Soft corals also add their own skeletons to the hard structure over the years. These growing multiplying structures gradually form coral reefs.
Conditions needed for Corals to Flourish
Extensive submarine platforms for the formation of colonies by the coral polyps (not more than 90m below sea level).
High mean annual temperature ranging 20-21 degree Celsius.
Clean sediment-free water because muddy water or turbid water clogs the mouths of coral polyps resulting into their death.
Oceanic salinity ranging between 27-30 ppt.
Ocean currents and waves, as they bring food supply for the polyps.
PYQ:
2014: Which of the following have coral reefs?
Andaman and Nicobar Islands
Gulf of Kachchh
Gulf of Mannar
Sunderbans
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Mains PYQ Relevance: Q) ‘Clean energy is the order of the day.’ Describe briefly India’s changing policy towards climate change in various international fora in the context of geopolitics. (UPSC IAS/2022) Q) Does the right to a clean environment entail legal regulation on burning crackers during Diwali? Discuss in the light of Article 21 of the Indian Constitution and judgments of the apex in this regard. (UPSC IAS/2015) Q) Starting from inventing the ‘basic structure’ doctrine, the judiciary has played a highly proactive role in ensuring that India develops into a thriving democracy. In light of the statement, evaluate the role played by judicial activism in achieving the ideals of democracy. (UPSC IAS/2014)
Prelims: Which of the following are regarded as the main features of the “Rule of Law”? (UPSC IAS/2018) 1) Limitation of powers 2) Equality before law 3) People’s responsibility to the Government 4) Liberty and civil rights Select the correct answer using the codes given below: (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2 and 4 only (c) 1, 2 and 4 only (d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Note4Students:
Prelims: Rights to Life (Article 21) and Equality (Article 14); Right to be free of ill effects;
Mains: Judiciary on Environment and Climate Change;
Mentor comments: “Vidya dadati Vinayam” is an ancient Sanskrit phrase meaning knowledge leads to happiness. India is an important piece of the global climate puzzle. It houses close to twenty percent of the world’s population, 2.4% of the world’s land area, and 7%–8% of all recorded species, including over 45,000 species of plants and 91,000 species of animals. A significant responsibility of the fate of India rests on how the Indian Judiciary deals with the increasing climate change-related cases. Now, recently the SC in M K Ranjitsinh & Ors. vs. Union of India & Ors. case ruled that the people have a right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change which should be recognised by Article 14 and Article 21 of the Constitution.This judgement comes with its own set of challenges that we need to consider.
Let’s learn
—
Why in the News?
The Supreme Court of India’s extension of Constitutional Rights to Life and Equality to include protection from Climate Change offers hope after the ecological crisis.
Previous 2021 judgment:
The SC had directed the installation of bird diverters on existing overhead power lines and the undergrounding of power lines in the GIB’s priority habitat areas.
The 2024 order: The SC acknowledged the practical challenges raised by the government and renewable energy companies in implementing the blanket ban on overhead power lines. The SC lifted the ban on overhead power lines for 77,000 sq km but upheld it for a 13,000 sq km core habitat area of the GIB.
Formation of Expert Committee: The SC constituted a 7-member expert committee which is tasked with suggesting conservation measures for endangered GIB by identifying areas where power lines can be constructed and exploring the alternatives for their protection.
The committee has to submit its report to the SC by July 31, 2024, after which the court will take a final decision on the way forward.
Limitations with present order:
To meet India’s climate commitments declared atCOP 26 (2021), it includes net zero carbon emissions by 2070, generation of 500 GW by non-fossil fuel sources and a 50% share of total power generation to renewable energy by 2030. However, it comes with certain challenges as follows:
Inclusion of Problematic Energy Sources: The judgment includes large hydropower and nuclear plants in ‘non-fossil-fuel‘ and ‘renewable’ energy, which have significant negative impacts, the Mega-dams in the Himalayas can cause destabilization, biodiversity loss, and community displacement.
Adverse Impacts of Mega-Renewable Projects: The Court has tried to balance the need for land (and airspace) for solar and wind energy production in Rajasthan and Gujarat, with the imperative of protecting the Great Indian Bustard.
Large solar and wind projects have significant negative impacts, Pavagada Solar Park (Karnataka) took away grazing and agricultural land and destroyed wildlife.
Lack of Environmental Assessment and Clearance: Renewable energy projects are excluded from Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and clearance procedures, so their impacts are not assessed.
Continued Investment in Coal: Despite significant investment in renewable energy, the government is not reducing investments in coal. The new coal mining blocks continue to be given a green signal, including in biologically diverse and socially sensitive areas.
Alternatives should have been considered:
Decentralized Renewable Energy Sources: TheRooftop and Decentralized Renewable Energy sources could yield over 600 GW, offering a more sustainable alternative to mega-projects. They have already benefited millions in Indian villages, aligning with provisions for Equality and a Clean Environment.
Efficient Energy Use and Demand Management: Questions should be raised about energy wastage in transmission, inefficient appliance use, and luxury consumption. Demand management and power redistribution could address energy needs more effectively, reducing the necessity for new power production.
Rights of Nature and Earth Jurisprudence: The Court could have considered the growing global movement recognizing the ‘Rights of Nature’, crucial for just climate action. Recognition of the rights of rivers like the Ganga and Yamuna could serve as a model to safeguard nature and habitats against climate-damaging actions.
Incorporating Expert Committee Mandate: The Court could enhance the judgment’s impact by tasking the expert committee to explore alternative, less damaging ways of meeting energy demands, including decentralized renewables and reducing waste/luxury consumption.
Flaws in the Indian Development Model
India’s development model heavily relies on mega-industrial, infrastructural, and extractive projects that cause deforestation and displacement of communities, violating constitutional rights.
The government’s proposal to deforest 130 sq. km of rainforest and take up tribal lands in Great Nicobar violates the Court’s observation of protecting indigenous communities’ traditional lives and cultures.
Way Forward – Need for Transformative Change Organically:
If the Court had taken its observations to their logical conclusion, it could have directed the government to re-examine such destructive projects. This could have provided grounds for a fundamental shift towards real sustainability and justice in tackling climate change.
However, the judgment has reinforced the ecologically flawed, undemocratic, and socially disruptive path promoted by the Government of India.
